When Obama says the healthcare bill will not be available to illegals ... technically it wouldn't but ...
Senators turn back ID requirement for immigrant healthcare
By Jeffrey Young - 09/30/09
Senate Finance Committee Democrats rejected a proposed a requirement that immigrants prove their identity with photo identification when signing up for federal healthcare programs.
Finance Committee ranking member Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) said that current law and the healthcare bill under consideration are too lax and leave the door open to illegal immigrants defrauding the government using false or stolen identities to obtain benefits.
Grassley's amendment was beaten back 10-13 on a party-line vote.
The bill, authored by committee Chairman Max Baucus (D-Mont.), would require applicants to verify their names, places of birth and Social Security numbers. In addition, legal immigrants would have to wait five years, as under current law, after obtaining citizenship or legal residency to access federal healthcare benefits such as Medicaid and the Children's Health Insurance Program or receive tax credits or purchase insurance through the exchange created by the legislation.
But the would not require them to show a photo ID, such as a drivers license. Without that requirement, the bill "remains dearly lacking when it comes to identification," Grassley said.
"Frankly, I'm very perplexed as to why anyone would oppose this amendment," he said.But Democratic Sen. Jeff Bingaman, who represents the border state of New Mexico, said that the type of fraud Grassley said he wants to prevent is highly uncommon.
"The way I see the amendment, it's a solution without a problem," Bingaman said.
Perhaps Mr. Bingaman, you should get some help with your vision. I have to show ID when a police officer stops me, when I go to the DMV, when I use a credit card ... surely when I am receiving medical care for FREE. UNLESS, Mr. Bingaman, there is a reason why you don't want people checked.
I cannot help but wonder, what if, in my delusional world, Congress voted to not ask for ID, thus allowing anyone - legal or illegal, to get medical health coverage - and when those same illegals become legal (which is part of another process the Congress might be considering) they would then vote for my political party, and given the fact they are a significant percent of the population in my community and many others wherever it might be, I want to stay in office, and this is a way to ensure I stay in office. Would you think that too politically driven, without regard for the country, but aiming instead for a self-interest ... that is exactly what Democrats attributed to Bush, without much evidence - yet this issue stands out glaring at you in the face, and Mr. Bingaman, you see a solution without a problem.
I see a problem you refuse to see, for any number of reasons.
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